COMMENTARY: Response to statement on departure of Ross University

Ambassador Felix Gregoire has issued a response to criticisms levied against him on DNO and other media

On August 21, 2018 I released a statement on the Ross University pull out, which was intended to make Dominicans reflect on the issue in a sober minded manner. Some took me to task in the most vile manner. Little do they know that my grandmother had convinced me at an early age that those who criticize me are not better than me.

There are two things that no one can ever take away from me. They are my education and my achievements in life. With the help of God, parents, teachers, friends and the Governments of Dominica and Canada, I received an education that guided me through a career leading to the top of the Public Service. During that journey I served the Freedom Party Government, the United Workers Party Government and the Labour Party Government. I served every administration to the best of my ability and encouraged those who worked with me to do the same.

I have always looked at and for the brighter side of life and do not rejoice at others misfortune. I have successfully negotiated many settlements in the interest of my country and the persons involved. So, I am not daunted by threats and criticisms, and I will continue to say my piece whenever I am inspired by the Almighty to do so. I have friends who remain quiet when they could make a difference, for fear of being criticized. My advice to them has always been “no one is perfect”. The Bible is full of stories that we can take example of.

I have great faith in Dominicans, but that faith I must confess was dented while walking the streets of Roseau days after Hurricane Maria. I never thought that some Dominicans would engage in such looting and destruction of property after so much devastation in our beloved country.

Unfortunately, those persons are the product of our society, and they are still around waiting for the next opportunity. So we have a responsibility to do what we can to promote peace in our country.

The peace that we strive for is being eroded in many ways and the social media is playing its ugly part. It cannot be fair for persons using all forms of fake names to be allowed to malign and vilify other persons who have a different view from them. I discussed this very matter with the owner of Dominica News Online a few years ago. I did not study journalism but there are basic things in life that even preschoolers are aware of. We have been taught that there are two sides to a story; you are innocent until proven guilty; look before you leap; when in doubt remain silent; remain silent when you are angry; and you should never attempt to steal a person’s good name.

I could say many things about the persons who maliciously attacked me because of my position on the Ross University matter, but that would not resolve anything. Dominicans would be surprised to know the true identity of the persons behind the fake names. I will not waste my time on such idle people. However, persons who boast that they are my friends but try to denigrate me in the media without making any attempt to approach me personally on the issue at hand are definitely cowards of the highest order. I know who my friends are.

I hold no grudge against the persons who vilified me, nor those who will continue to vilify me; because vengeance is not mine. However, I maintain that I said nothing wrong in my statement of August 21, 2018. We must think as Statesmen as we seek solutions to our problems. We were taught to solve our problems without violence, because there is only one place for persons who settle disagreements with bullets, sticks and stones etc.

The majority of Dominicans want to live in peace, and the prayers of all those who have made the welfare of Dominica their business are being answered on a daily basis. So let us all continue to pray and do something for peace and progress to reign in our beloved Dominica.

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34 Comments

Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 70viewsexpressedSeptember 2, 2018

“We must think as Statesmen as we seek solutions to our problems. We were taught to solve our problems without violence, because there is only one place for persons who settle disagreements with bullets, sticks and stones etc.”
Gregoire, please open your eyes. What you just said above does not relate to Domininca as we have poor leadership and at worse, one not worthy as being recognised as a “Role Model” Skerrit will never be a role model and you boost that you served many governments, this current government, corrupt as they are, and you have been sitting with them years now. Please do an article on corruption and advise us up coming youth & politician how we should behave and conduct ourselves in government. You therefore have failed and now you appear to be confessing. What really then is your real reason for writing this script. What is the morale of the story.? Who comes first to you, Skerrit, Dominica and Dominicans or his evil blind surrogates feeding him with rubbish…

WESLEY
how come you chose now to comment ?
what are your opinions on Mr. Skerrit’s outbursts telling the Dominican people ”GO TO HELL ”, I sure Nurse didn’t teach you that to be right ,i sure sure she always taught you not to incite violence ,calling people names ; what you think of him telling Dominicans that the state affairs he is supposed to be managing for the State is not people’s business, to this day i haven’t heard any comments from you about our treasured parrots , you forgot , that’s where you started ? Don’t start me off; Listen man i was a labour party supporter from birth , but wrong is wrong and, unlike you i don’t have to sing for anything, neither should you,, you should have enough to live comfortably now, so open your eyes , then say wrong is wrong ; Man be righteous OK.

Gregoire…This current corrupt Labour Government has failed us…..Where were they, where are they, what are their priorities outside hopping on a plane daily and selling CBI which is priority? Then you say to us “Unfortunately, those persons are the product of our society, and they are still around waiting for the next opportunity. So we have a responsibility to do what we can to promote peace in our country.”
Yes we have a responsibility, but point finger where it belongs, and to advise you if you did not know, we have a failed and inept PM Skerrit in office and his behaviour and weakness is treated by people like your self who holds high positions and do nothing. Your letter concerns, thoughts should be written to the failed Skerrit, not us, we have done nothing, we are the victims, and this corrupt Labour government is the villain. Where are you Gregoire…is whose interest do you write?
If you expected praises for this article, then return to thoughts and pen again…

……………………………………………………. This appears to come from a Mickey Mouse theme” My Granny always told me growing up” hahahaahhahaahaha !!!!FET is laughing this for sure. That’s mad funny Mr. Ambassador! It confirms the fact that despite as you so humorously stated.”Little do they know that my grandmother had convinced me at an early age that those who criticize me are not better than me.
There are two things that no one can ever take away from me. They are my education and my achievements in life. With the help of God, parents, teachers, friends and the Governments of Dominica and Canada.”
your bebbel statement That sounds like a little girl in a maypuis contest. You never left the village bro!

In my view, all Mr. Gregoire was trying to do by his statement was to discourage all the negativity stirring up after the pull out of the ross university and to rather encourage a more nationalist approach as “statesmen”.
Instaed of playing the blame game, let us put our heads together and find solutions to this problem.
The man did nothing wrong to deserve criticism.

What playing the blame game are you talking about? The Skerrit led administration is directly and solely responsible for the departure of Ross U from Dominica. This is without question. Lack of air access, primitive state of the main hospital, crumpling roads and bridges, severe lack of shopping and recreational facilities were just some of the reasons for Ross U’s exit. Mr. Gregoire tried to bend people’s mind away from the truth even though it was a feeble attempt. Be real.

Be real? Reality is we were just devastated by a NATURAL DISASTER which caused a lot of entities on island to shut down and/or migrate.
Not everything is political.

Like or Dislike: 34??????????????August 31, 2018

True to A Statesman. And that is what is needed – negativity is killing the country. Hear Blast from Yesteryear criticize the gentleman for acknowledging his Grannny. comparing the learned Felix Gregoire to a MIckey Mouse theme. You guys need to grow up and stop blaming others when infact and truth, we may all be the ones to blame. Calling Mr. Gregoire names cannot belittle him as he has rightly stated With the help of God, parents, teachers, friends and the Governments of Dominica and Canada.”. He is being very grateful first and foremost to God (This gratitude to Jehovah is lacking in most of those negative persons), and to all those “parents, teachers, friends and the Governments of Dominica and Canada.” who assisted him in his education. What do those persons like blast and others are promoting young persons and others to be ungrateful and as a result disrespectful to authority, God included, parents, peers, others etc. You see the result – no love , killing then normal

No one getting at Gregoire personally..it is who and what he is aligned to we are concerned about. Our people are in deep poverty…Gregoire is ok…..he is an academic. A success, a Dominican earned his achievement!, congratulations. The issue is with credited academic success, who do you serve……the people of Dominica or failed inept questionable PM most seem to worship blindly.
Dominica is in a big mess and the hierarchy in government, with people like Gregoire need to advise honestly with loyalty to us not a failed corrupt Government. Poverty is getting higher. our youths are killing each other, housing is poor and Skerrit in hand out stuff buys loyalty. Gregoire, tell us about this and if this is not fraud its abusive.
Stop hiding behind, come open and talk to us as Dominicans, not as diplomat. W are not diplomatically stupid, we see a thief when there is one. Good luck sir on your achievement.

Any more top ranking Diplomatic in government has anything more to say and add?

Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 131Papa DomAugust 31, 2018

Dear mr Greg I hope you are reading this. When you inserted yourself into the discussion on Ross, which is your right to do as a Dominican and highly paid servant of the state, did you not expect others to react to your statement? I will not get into your relationship with the late dame but suffice it to say, you know the facts. Now my problem with this crass statement is your failure to condemn and speak to the vitriol directed at members of the opposition by Tony and others on Kairi. Why haven’t you spoken up to defend others, who like you have achieved and are trying to make a contribution? You name sake for example. Before you tot your horn and seek sympathy from us do the right thing from here on in and speak up to condemn those would seek to denigrate the rest of us unjustifiably.

Why don’t you condemn the high level of corruption while you have the ability to receive immunity. Just an example, we all saw how Mr Julian got caught after so many years. Food for thought. There will be an international investigation. Remember we are part of a group of islands. just giving you a hint.

Firstly, Mr. Gregoire, only megalomaniacs blow their own trumpet. You definitely have an eggshell ego which is easily bruised. Grow a spine. As a public servant, the nature of your job will constantly expose you to public scrutiny and criticisms. I personally find you to be a colossal hypocrite. Why castigate DNO? When the Ministers of Government and their lackeys, use the State’s radio station and other electronic media, to unjustifiably besmirch the reputation and character of members of the opposition, especially Mr. Lennox Linton, you remain deafeningly silent. Thou hypocrite! Your article can be compared to a desolate, barren desert. It offers nothing substantive. When your words don’t improve the silence, keep your tongue (pen) still.

Mr Gregor u labourites like to boast of how educated u all are , meaning that everyone who does not have a degree is stupid. Bro if everyone was a doctor, lawyer ,engineer etc the world would not function smoothly. People have common sense, so we use it .

Bro you serve the public and you don’t want criticism? This aint North Korea.
The majority of us don’t have the access that you have. We don’t benefit from the sale of passport , directly or indirectly. We don’t have jobs far less for a top job even after retirement. Some of us pay bills in arrears,living in perpetual uncertainty that our utilities may be shut off.We are also educated but we refuse to genuflex to gov’t officials so we are chastised. We didn’t just get up one morning and complain. No one can down play the Ross issues. Ross survived all other gov’t except this one. In closing
you should live a life such that if people speak ill of you then none would believe it. Are you?

Sir, while I agree that users of all social media outlets should always display a measure of respect and restraint when expressing their opinions, I strongly believe those of us who choose to participate in such exchange forums should be fully prepared to receive the inevitable constructive criticism which our message posts generate. You should have expected nothing less when you decided to opine on such a divisive issue. My humble advise is that you should consider growing some thicker skin before posting another opinion piece. Thanks to the Most High it does not appear that you have incurred any physical assault for sharing your point of view; however, toughening up any thin skin will most certainly help you to weather the verbal lashes moving forward.

Ambassador Gregoire seems to be seeking empathy, as a servant of the people, and those who called him out positively or negatively. Is Mr Gregiore not part of the inner circle of the DLP? if one can’t stand the heat, there is no need being in the kitchen.

H.E. Felix Gregoire
Ambassador to OECS and CARICOM
here are two things that no one can ever take away from me. They are my education and my achievements in life. With the help of God, parents, teachers, friends and the Governments of Dominica and Canada, I received an education that guided me through a career leading to the top of the Public Service. During that journey I served the Freedom Party Government, the United Workers Party Government and the Labour Party Government. I served every administration to the best of my ability and encouraged those who worked with me to do the same.
WHAT DID YOUR NENEN TELL AS A BOY?????????? SAD GREGSCertainly remarks of one with poverty of mind.

When I was a little boy my gm told me……………………………………….. now am a big man physicaly (only) far from educated just studiated(if you are lol/LMAOL.I knew You playing cricket( not talented.Don’t know how you functioned. For some strange reason I had my doubts about your dept or shallowness for want of a better word. You were just a strange dude. There are a few others studiated ones who are like a decade and a half older than I am today. who In retrospect I was right about. Thereis a former engineering one from newtown & many others who have just exisited and not lived. Such poor expression just goes to show what DA is all about. We are a failed state as Shirely said many ,many mons ago. DA is screwed as a nation. See who we have as president, acting president, commissioners past and present what a shame. We are permanently a screwed nation if we ever was one.

If you are an educated man,and you are not denouncing anything that this DLP is doing,well Bob Marley said this”””Don’t let them fool you
Or even try to school you
You’ve got a mind of your own ………
I do not want you to school me,because I will be badly schooled…
You must have eaten or drunk something recently,and it is now manifesting itself in your system.
One of it’s effect is that it has caused you to shameless .Little peevish and petulant boy.Stop getting into that tantrum.Give the suffering people of Dominica a break
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go Now

Man you are so educated and so accomplished and you cannot find fault with the current administration? Because your bread well butter and the regular man will just join the line in red clinic because long before Maria the country just stagnant? You should be ashamed of yourself. We need Dominicans who love country above all…I was hoping you were one of them who would say NO MORE but nope…you just keep singing for your supper. I have lost faith in you. DA feenee bat!

Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 156For The Love Of CountryAugust 30, 2018

Let’s hope by your assertion you’re pointing fingers at Skerrit… or, as his acolytes does sing for their supper.

If you are unable to represent the citizens that elected you, and your decisions are made personally and without public approval, you are a POOR LEADER. So what’s this POOR LEADER’S report card to date:

He has fostered an unhappy populace due to the government’s failure to adhere to established rules, regukations, and laws established by his predecessors, or to do so in an insufficient and peneurious manner.

you got what you deserved, how you make your bed, so you will sleep, You cannot be a good person ,supporting bad people and things, dasheen tree do not bring yam, you cannot serve God and mammon, You know truth, but cannot speak it, Gifts have your tongue stilled, People are no fools

This sounds like meapwi to me. The man wrote an opinion forgetting that even if he is an ambassador he is an ambassador for Dominica, not the Labour party. Felix no one is trying to take your education not your achievements away from you so what utter nonsense. Go back and reread your piece again without the red colored glasses and you will see and agree with those who took you to the task that you had come down low. Are you slyly suggesting that Skerritt put restrictions on free speech in social media because you are of a different mindset? Be careful now man, because the little dictator might just take you seriously. Leave DNO alone. If you were honorable you would point out that government is trying to silence opposition in that it won’t make the state-controlled media available to all political parties. My freedom of speech does not mean that I have to refrain from saying things which make you feel uncomfortable. Start representing all Dominicans and reflect that in your…

Jonathan Felix ask for statesmen. Be one and remove politics from the equation. A man like you with all your glamorous stories. Who is silencing who? See the leeway that your prefered leader has gone too including American Media and locally inciting and saying whatever he wants. Look at all the media available. He has made his point all over. Stop this foolishness about silencing. You and your bro and all the others (Overseas mind you) who do not like the PM for absolutely no reason are all writing all you opinon allay por venir. Do you call that silence. Man remove your linette bois and be a Statesman as Felix has indicated and most importantly you are supposed to be educated yourself. Instead of all the mepuis towards Skerrit, why not write a proper article on national issues.

Answer me this, why did the Commonwealth mission after two recent elections say in their post-election report that the elections were free but not fair? Why did they repeat in their last report that opposition parties must be given access to local, State-owned media? Man, keep on seeing only red. You are lost and don’t know it. You are part of the problem not the solution

Felix Old School! Our Grand parents taught us well. Yes me too was shocked by the level of looting and destruction that persons did even more destructive than the actual Maria Hurricane. I was awe they even putting their love ones out of a job since they destroyed and looted places that were not even damaged.

Felix continue to do the best and to those who vilify and malign others for absolutely no reason should really change their attitude in promoting peace. But there is still hope for those of us who learnt from our Grand parents have passed on the values to our own children. Let us continue to pray for our government, our nation, our young people and even those who vilify us. Vengeance belongs to the Lord. He is the one who vindicates. At the end of the day, Dominica is ours to promote and rebuild. Blessings to you and also those who are negative and cannot have an objective conversation but sadly promote all kind of strife and violence. We need to look internally at…

Felix
You mention a slew of sayings that, as you put it, most preschoolers already know. Add this to the list: When you are in the public sphere, criticism comes with the territory.

I have never been a public servant, but I have volunteered my time in the public interest most of my life. I give of my time and money, dont get paid a red cent but despite my effort, I sometimes get criticized. I comes with the territory. Stiffen up your spine and take your licks like a man.

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